Feature / One Question Interviews
Professor and the Madman

Words: Loren • June 10, 2018

Professor and the Madman
Professor and the Madman

Sean Elliott (Professor and the Madman-co-vocalist)

SPB: When did you first "discover" punk rock?

Sean: I first heard the term 'punk rock' in elementary school. All the kids in my class had to take part in a "Secret Santa" gift trade. I was assigned to trade gifts with a kid who everybody described as punk rock. I bought him a book on how to make paper airplanes and he got me a 'Sid Lives' pin. Around this time, 1980, I heard 'Holiday in Cambodia' on 'Rodney on the ROQ.' I was already a huge fan of surf music. When I first started playing guitar, I wanted to emulate the fury of Dick Dale's guitar sound. I recognized this sound in 'Holiday in Cambodia.' As I got older, the only music that had the same raw power was punk rock. Everything else was shit! 

Loren • June 10, 2018

Professor and the Madman
Professor and the Madman

Related features

Meth

One Question Interviews • March 18, 2026

Seb Alvarez (Meth) SPB: Is there a regional food you look forward to when you go on the road? Alvarez: Gravy lunch Read more

Remina

One Question Interviews • March 17, 2026

Heike (Remina) SPB: In the artwork of the last two releases (the EP Erebus and the album The Silver Sea) the black and white art is highlighted with a red accent. It feels like it is part of a story, is this the case? Heike: Throughout all the artworks, there … Read more

The Went Wrongs

One Question Interviews • March 16, 2026

Steven Douglas Jenkins (The Went Wrongs - vocals/guitar) SPB: Who does the majority of the band’s driving (is there a reason or a story as to why)? SDJ: When we play out of town, we usually split the driving, but if I had to choose who does it most, that … Read more

Post Office Experiences

Music • March 10, 2026

In a different world, which we think was shortly before COVID and MAGA and all things bad and in ALL CAPS occurred, Scene Point Blank had the idea to write a comprehensive piece about mailorder experiences from the people who dedicate their free time to sending you records, cds, tapes, … Read more

Spite House

Interviews • March 7, 2026

There’s a quiet weight to Spite House that doesn’t rely on volume or spectacle. Their songs sit in the uncomfortable space between anger and reflection, carrying emotional honesty without turning it into a performance. Their growth is shown on Desertion, their most fully realized material to date. Preparing for an … Read more

Related news

Professor and the Madman return with Séance

Posted in Records on November 1, 2020

More from this section

Meth

One Question Interviews • March 18, 2026

Seb Alvarez (Meth) SPB: Is there a regional food you look forward to when you go on the road? Alvarez: Gravy lunch Read more

Remina

One Question Interviews • March 17, 2026

Heike (Remina) SPB: In the artwork of the last two releases (the EP Erebus and the album The Silver Sea) the black and white art is highlighted with a red accent. It feels like it is part of a story, is this the case? Heike: Throughout all the artworks, there … Read more

The Went Wrongs

One Question Interviews • March 16, 2026

Steven Douglas Jenkins (The Went Wrongs - vocals/guitar) SPB: Who does the majority of the band’s driving (is there a reason or a story as to why)? SDJ: When we play out of town, we usually split the driving, but if I had to choose who does it most, that … Read more